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Grateful for My RICE Awards Vanguard Award Nomination

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GRATITUDE… Every day, I wake up and work to move the needle forward on my ventures. Some days, it feels like rolling a stone uphill; other times, it’s like being Wile E. Coyote—chasing that roadrunner, only to find yourself back at the drawing board. But through it all, this is my life’s commitment, so I keep going. That’s the reality of being an advocate for community, especially in the arts and entertainment industry. How we are seen on screen and how our humanity is shared matters deeply. There must be space and opportunity on larger platforms to present the full scope and scale of our humanity—sharing stories that are more authentic, accurate, and complete. Much of that requires the quiet, behind-the-scenes work that often goes unseen. I’ve learned not to do it for recognition, but because it’s who I want to be—for myself, my family, and especially my kids and grandkids. That’s why being nominated for the Vanguard Award by the RICE Awards Executive Committee means so much. A specia...

Alma Film Festival Announces Call for Emerging Technologists at Ent–Tech (Innovation & Discovery Expo)

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Alma Film Festival Announces Call for Emerging Technologists at Ent–Tech (Innovation & Discovery Expo) Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic — The Alma Film Festival is proud to announce an open call for emerging technologists, entertainment disruptors, and innovators to join Ent–Tech (Innovation & Discovery Expo) , a future-facing showcase at the convergence of entertainment and technology. As part of its commitment to spotlighting creativity and innovation across the Global South, the festival is waiving exhibition fees for participants who apply by October 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST . Ent–Tech is seeking: Interactive technologies and immersive platforms Gadgets, gizmos, and creative tools New camera and lens technology Software, apps, and digital platforms Human-centered innovations Disruptive models in film, TV, streaming, and new media Each exhibitor will be provided a 10x10 space (flexible based on the nature of the technology) to deliver an interactiv...

Alma Film Festival Announces Collaboration with Elias L. Mulenga, Zambia’s Leading Film & Arts Advocate

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Alma Film Festival Announces Collaboration with Elias L. Mulenga, Zambia’s Leading Film & Arts Advocate Atlanta, USA - Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic — The Alma Film Festival is proud to announce a new collaboration with Elias L. Mulenga, Zambia’s #1 Film and Arts Advocate . This partnership underscores the festival’s inclusive, global approach and commitment to building meaningful cultural collaborations across the world. Elias Mulenga will play an instrumental role in helping Alma shape a global cinematic agenda that reflects the vast diversity of the Global South , ensuring that stories, voices, and innovations from Africa and beyond are central to the international conversation. This collaboration expands Alma’s community of stakeholders to 47 cities  across 32 countries , strengthening a global network of cultural leaders, filmmakers, and innovators who are  working together to reimagine cinema for the future. “My decision to fully commit to this industry was bor...

The Alma Film Festival Announces A Cross-Continental Collaboration with DDCE Creative Agency and Dream Variations Entertainment to Present Tiny Nook Concert Series: The Global Sessions

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Atlanta, GA – (August 21, 2025) — The Alma Film Festival is proud to partner with the acclaimed Tiny Nook Concert Series—produced by DDCE Creative Agency and Dream Variations Entertainment —to debut its first international edition, Tiny Nook: The Global Sessions , March 17–22, 2026, in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic. Founded in Bushwick, New York in 2023, Tiny Nook has become a cultural phenomenon — “NYC’s Tiny Desk for the People” — known for its intimate concert series that centers authentic connection between emerging artists and audiences. Since its inception, Tiny Nook has showcased more than 38 artists across 16 sold-out shows, and now the series is expanding its reach onto a global stage. At the Alma Film Festival, The Global Sessions will feature six electrifying Brooklyn-based artists with roots in Ethiopia, Trinidad, Nigeria, Jamaica, Egypt, and the Bahamas. Together, they will create a living soundtrack of cross-cultural artistry and contemporary expression, marking T...

Matching Grant Announced for Alma Film Festival to Support Emerging Global South Filmmakers

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Matching Grant Announced for Alma Film Festival to Support Emerging Global South Filmmakers The Alma Film Festival is pleased to announce a generous gift from an Atlanta-area private family charitable fund. The contribution, made through the Alma Global Community Development Corporation , will directly support the Dandelion Institute’s Film & Television Fellowship , which equips emerging filmmakers from the Global South with mentorship, training, and opportunities for global exposure. Our inaugural group of fellows includes filmmakers from Honduras, South Africa, Jamaica, Lesotho, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands , working across narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental cinema. Highlights include Joe Ramos (Honduras), the first Black director in his country’s film industry; Athi Petela (South Africa), acclaimed for storytelling depth; Khotso Jaden Maphathe (Lesotho), a multidisciplinary artist; Tumeli Toqota (Fiji), creator of Fiji’s first animated film; Regina & ...

The Dandelion Institute and Alma Film Festival Continue Their Work to Amplify Voices from the Global South, Through Their Film & Television Fellowship

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The Dandelion Institute, in collaboration with the Alma Global Community Development Corporation , proudly continues its Film & Television Fellowship —an ambitious initiative dedicated to empowering visionary filmmakers from the Global South and other historically underrepresented regions. The fellowship equips them with the tools, mentorship, and a platform to tell stories that are more authentic, accurate, and complete—broadening our understanding of the vast kaleidoscope of human experience. This four-phase fellowship integrates creative development, business strategy, and cutting-edge technology to prepare participants for sustainable, market-ready careers. Each year, 6–10 filmmaking teams are selected to receive intensive mentorship, hands-on production training, and exclusive access to global industry leaders—along with opportunities to expand their audiences and amplify their impact. “This fellowship is about more than making films,” says Anthony R Page, Festival Director...